The stage is set for a high-stakes showdown at the 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival as festival director Chris Cahilig officially revealed the acting nominees via a Facebook livestream, setting the scene for an intense awards night at Gateway Cineplex 18 on September 30.

This year’s acting categories feature a compelling mix of seasoned industry heavyweights, mainstream stars, and breakout indie and digital creators going head-to-head across both full-length and student short divisions.

Full-Length Feature Nominees

The Panalong Aktor race features one of the festival’s most crowded lineups:

  • John Arcilla — Beast
  • Joross Gamboa — Wantawsan
  • Ian Pangilinan — Patay Gutom
  • Khalil Ramos — Patay Gutom
  • Joao Constancia — Multwoh (Patay na Patay Sa’yo)
  • Perry Dizon — Mono No Aware
  • Juan Karlos Labajo — Mono No Aware

In the Panalong Aktres category, former child star turned dramatic powerhouse Xyriel Manabat (Stuck on You) faces off against digital creator and actress Sassa Gurl (Multwoh [Patay na Patay Sa’yo]).

Panalong Child Performer

  • Zion Cruz — Wantawsan
  • Ruslan Jacob — Beast
  • Zion Cruz — Apol of My Ai

Panalong Pangalawang Aktres

  • Rita Daniela — Wantawsan
  • Rochelle Pangilinan — Apol of My Ai
  • Agot Isidro — Patay Gutom
  • Momoko Kobayashi — Mono No Aware

Panalong Pangalawang Aktor

  • Paolo O’Hara — Mono No Aware
  • Roger Naldo — Stuck on You
  • Zanjoe Marudo — Apol of My Ai

Student Shorts Nominees

The student category highlights emerging talents alongside seasoned actors:

Panalong Aktres

  • Pau Baluyan — Kun Hain, Bisan Diin.
  • Mariella Cuerpo — Miss Intrams
  • Jonalyn Mateo — Ang Huling Banlaw ni Susan
  • Belle Francisco — Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen
  • Kyrie Samodio — 12 Shots

Panalong Aktor

  • Soliman Cruz — Nakabinbin
  • Arjhay Mangulabnan — No Mad Is an Island
  • Jay Gabriel Cañada — The Sound of K
  • VR Relosa — Starfish
  • André Miguel — When Heaven Inched Towards Earth
  • Chino Alfonso — Nang Matakasan ang Tagay

Panalong Child Performer

  • Van Jordan Gacayan — Pulis Dunggab
  • Don Rishmond Cerbito — Alumahan
  • Zoey Madison Lim — Limlim
  • Kenneth Mendoza — Teks Battle: Shoot Pati Pato!

Panalong Pangalawang Aktres

  • Nour Hooshmand — Starfish
  • Ma. Christina Simon — Alumahan
  • Angela Salga — Limlim
  • Karla Pambid — 12 Shots
  • Mika Hamajo — Miss Intrams
  • Diana Palma — Miss Intrams

Panalong Pangalawang Aktor

  • Jeremy Mayores — Alumahan
  • Nor Domingo — 12 Shots
  • Elj Seth Tababa — Pulis Dunggab
  • Kaleb Ong — When Heaven Inched Towards Earth
  • Alfredo Montano — Bumtak Sara ti Nuangen
  • Vic Romano — No Mad Is an Island

Festival Schedule & Ticketing Details

The 2026 Puregold CinePanalo Film Festival runs through October 4 across selected cinemas in Metro Manila:

  • Gateway Cineplex 18
  • TriNoma
  • Fairview Terraces
  • Ayala Malls Feliz
  • Ayala Malls Circuit
  • Ayala Malls Manila Bay
  • Market! Market!

Ticket Rates:

  • Regular Admission: ₱250
  • Discounted Admission (Students, Seniors, PWDs, National Athletes, Aling Puring & Puregold Perks Cardholders): ₱200
  • All-Access Festival Pass: ₱2,000 (valid for all 7 full-length features and 4 student short bundles; available exclusively at Gateway Cineplex 18 and TriNoma)